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Jose Iglesias out for opener, and perhaps much longer

VIERA, FLA. — Jose Iglesias' shin splint problem will force the Detroit Tigers shortstop to start the season on the disabled list. "He will definitely start the season on the disabled list," general manager

VIERA, FLA. — Jose Iglesias' shin splint problem will force the Detroit Tigers shortstop to start the season on the disabled list.

"He will definitely start the season on the disabled list," general manager Dave Dombrowski said before the team's game Sunday against the Nationals. "That's for sure."

Dombrowski refused to comment on reports that Iglesias' absence could be an extended one.

"Really, at this point, anything beyond (Opening Day) is more speculation."

Iglesias, 24, will visit his third foot specialist on Tuesday in Colorado.

"We've done a lot of tests," Dombrowski said. "He's seen a lot of doctors, we've sent a lot of information to other doctors and a lot of times the analysis changed. However, the pain is not disappearing for him. It's apparent that he has an injury."

Dombrowski said Iglesias can do a lot of activity without pain, including hit, field and run at full speed.

"It's the deceleration, it gets to the point where he slows down and that's where it hurts him, to the point where it's quite painful," he said.

Head trainer Kevin Rand said on Friday that Iglesias is suffering from a tibial stress reaction, which is basically a more severe form of shin splints.

When asked for a timetable on Iglesias' return, Dombrowski said, "I don't know. I do not know that," and when asked if the injury could be long term, said, "That could be the case, I'm not saying it's not, but I'm not ready by any means to make that proclamation until he goes out and sees the doctor."

When Iglesias left the team's first spring training game on Feb. 27 with the recurring issue – he missed games late last regular season and indicated it was an issue throughout the season, Dombrowski said – the team fully expected it would be cleared up by now.

"For sure," he said. "At first when it first started, we thought he was going to be out a week and ready to play. That's what we thought."

But three weeks later and the Tigers continue to evaluate internal – Hernan Perez, Eugenio Suarez and Danny Worth – and external options at the position.

Shortstop Stephen Drew remains a free agent.

"Of course we will keep a pulse on what's going on outside the organization but at this point, if we had to open internally, we're content there and we'll just analyze the situation as it rolls on," Dombrowski said.

When asked if the team's Opening Day shortstop was on the current roster, he said: "I don't know the answer to that. Most likely the answer to that is yes."

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